After a tough 24-25 season in which the Rogers Heritage volleyball team managed to win only one set, the Lady War Eagles are entering a new era under head Coach Sharon Felker with winning five games and two ties this season.

Taking over the struggling program last year, Coach Felker is determined to change the team’s culture and rebuild confidence through discipline, teamwork and a fresh approach aimed at turning the program around. Coach Felker focuses mainly on renewed energy in practices, a focus on accountability and stronger team chemistry. She aims to transform the Lady War Eagles into a contender in the 6A West. Players say the change in leadership has already brought a new sense of motivation and belief that success is within reach.

Leah Phinney (11) thinks Coach Felker has greatly impacted the team. “She’s definitely helped with our mentality and our energy and we’ve grown a lot closer as a team and friends,” said Phinney.

One thing that is always hard when trying to rebuild a team is making amends with all of the returners and letting them get comfortable with new management and where they fall in. Coach Felker takes pride in that a team starts with its roots and they need to set the focus together.

“One of the first things I did when I got hired was get all of our returners in a room and have them decide as a group what we wanted our program values and standards to be,” said Felker.

Despite the obstacles the team has faced in the past year, Coach Felker remained committed to the core values by putting the work in and being a team.

“I think the players have done a great job of working to put the team first and learning to work as one to show up and compete day in and day out regardless of who is on the other side of the net,” said Felker.